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Katy B greenhouse web
A lifelong love of being outside transformed in time to a love of gardening for Katy. She shares what she enjoys doing in her garden and how it has supported mental and physical wellness.

What inspired your interest in gardening?

I have always loved being outside and often sought solace in outdoor spaces since i was a teenager.

My interest really took hold in my twenties when i met my late mother-in-law and saw her garden, which has now become my garden. She inspired me to start being more adventurous and try growing my own veg. She also encouraged me to create my first little space for myself in the garden where i could go and sit and have a cuppa, away from being a mum for a while.

What sort of growing space do you have at the moment?

I am very fortunate to have three areas to garden in.

I have a front garden with anemones in that my mother-in-law planted. It's also got a stunning yew tree plus various shrubs and pots I've planted up for bulbs and grasses.

I have a medium side garden area with a lawn and a few shrubs. My chickens live in this garden too so I can't plant much there as they like digging a lot!

Finally, I have a very large, long back garden with lots of lawn and a big wraparound patio at the back of the house.

I have three raised veg beds. I've got one greenhouse without heating which I use for storing plants in over winter and another in the process of being built nearer the house. Hopefully I can heat this one and grow more plants in all year round.

I also started really enjoying houseplants over the last couple of years, so I could garden even when I didn't feel I could move much or go out.

Katy B greenhouse being built web
Katy and a new greenhouse in the process of being built

What do you enjoy doing most in the garden?

I love sowing seeds, potting on and seeing them grow and change. I also love a good weeding and digging session.

My favourite moments ... are when the robins come and join me to gather worms from where I've just dug or weeded while I sit and have a tea break.

Katy

My favourite moments, though, are when the robins come and join me to gather worms from where I've just dug or weeded while I sit and have a tea break. This is probably one of the reasons why I love digging so much! I love hearing the birds singing too and trying to identify which bird it is.

How do you think gardening supports your health and wellbeing?

I have suffered with depression and anxiety since a very young age, I also developed arthritis in my teen years. I spent long periods of time off school due to this, but the garden was always there.

Over time, I found that gardening helped me to manage my depression and anxiety. More recently, since entering perimenopause, I have spent more time gardening to help me exercise, keep moving and be outside in the fresh air and with nature. Gardening helps with my self-confidence and gives me hope for the future.

Gardening helps with my self-confidence and gives me hope for the future.

Katy

Gardening also helps me connect with others. I love giving plants as gifts and sharing plants with my sister, who has recently started taking an interest in gardening. We help each other out in our gardens, which is good for us both. I feel less alone in the garden and it helps me to process my thoughts.

Have you found any ways to adapt how you garden to make it easier to do?

Some days my hands and legs really hurt from having arthritis. On those days I've learnt to spend that time doing lighter tasks such as seed sowing, or just walking round the garden making notes on things that are or aren't working.

I've got myself a nice small, light spade. I've also got my trusty trolley, in which I can put everything I need for my session of gardening that day and pull around with me.

Katy B garden trolley web
Katy in the garden with her handy wheeled trolley

Being such a large garden space at home I've had to learn which areas of the garden I'm happy to let do their own thing and which to focus on. Lots of tea breaks help too!

What advice would you give to someone starting out on their gardening journey?

Start small and don't be afraid to try new things. Have faith in yourself and remember you can always try again another day. I have also found videos on YouTube by other gardeners very helpful and informative.

Start small and don't be afraid to try new things. Have faith in yourself and remember you can always try again another day.

Katy

How did you come across Thrive?

I came across Thrive when looking for ideas about therapeutic gardening. I love reading Thrive's Gardening Club newsletters as they give me ideas what to plant or activities to do to and make me feel I'm part of a growing gardening movement.

Gardening is my therapy.

Katy

It has inspired me to want to help others garden for therapy - before, I thought I was strange for seeing garden as a good alternative or addition to therapy. Gardening is my therapy.

What are you hoping to do next in the garden?

I'm hoping to finish getting my heated greenhouse set up. I'm also creating a new woodland border. I'm making the most of the lovely autumn weather we're having right now. The ground is easier to dig in the autumn, so I’m taking the opportunity to move plants into my new border.

Share your story

We love hearing about how your gardens and our Thrive advice have helped support your wellbeing. If you would like to share your story, email info@thrive.org.uk

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